AP Literature Summer Project
Bradshaw Christian High School
Ms. Suess
Summer 2016
DUE: Monday, August 22
PART I. ALLUSIONS:
An allusion is a reference to something literary, mythological, or historical that the author assumes the
reader will recognize. Often literature will refer to other well-known stories and texts. Each of the
following stories/people are commonly alluded to in literature. You will need to be familiar with each
of the following stories to recognize when they are alluded to.
1. Allusion Summaries
 For each story listed below you will need to write a summary of the story in a sentence or two.
For those you are not familiar with, you will need to research the story.
o Biblical Allusions:
 The Creation
 The Fall
 The mark of Cain
 The Flood
 Lot and his wife
 Sodom and Gomorrah
 David and Goliath
 Sampson and Delilah
 Job
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o Mythological Allusions:
Jezebel
 Achilles’ heel
Solomon
 Helen of Troy
The Prodigal Son
 Hercules
The Nativity
 Icarus
Lazarus
 Narcissus
Golgotha
 Odysseus
The Crucifixion
 Pandora’s Box
“The Denial”
 Phoenix
Thirty pieces of silver
 Prometheus
2. Finding Allusions
 Keep track of any reference to the above allusions you find in books, articles, TV shows, and
movies over the course of the summer. Record each allusion in the format below. The student
with the most allusions will receive a prize. You should find at least five.
 Format:
Title of Source
Allusion
Reference
(Where did you find the
(What was the story/person (How did this source reference the
allusion?)
that was referenced?)
allusion? Cite a quote if possible.)
PART II. FRANKENTSTEIN:
The first text we will be discussing this year is Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. You will need to purchase
an unabridged copy of this text, read it, and complete the following assignment. To aid our discussion
and practice active reading skills, you will be required to annotate and mark your text. Instructions are
listed below. Once you have finished reading the text, you will complete the “Who is the Monster”
assignment. It is imperative that you read and engage with this text over the summer because we will
be using it to discuss major concepts you will need to know for the AP Exam. Please note that
reading Sparknotes is not a valid substitute for reading the original text.
1. Annotations and Marked Passages
Part of the preparation for both the AP exam and college-level work is engaging with difficult texts.
One of the most helpful strategies for reading literature (and other texts) is annotating and marking
the texts. While you are reading, you will need to complete the following tasks:
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Mark 20 significant passages with a post-it in the text and write on the post-it why you
marked it. With each of these passages you might also underline/highlight and comment in
the margins as you read.
You should mark the text based on the following categories. For each post-it, 1) write what
category it falls under and 2) explain why you marked it. You can abbreviate with the first
letter of each category as well.
o Theme (T): This passage represents a theme you see emerging. Write the theme you
see developing, and how you see it developing in this passage.
o Writing (W): In this passage you noticed the writing is particularly interesting or
beautiful. Write what you noticed about the passage and why you think it is interesting.
o Discussion Question (DQ): This passage is marked because it raises an interesting
question about the text. Write your questions about the text.
o Comprehension Question (CQ): This passage is marked because you are confused
about a section. Being confused is okay, just mark it so we can discuss it! Write your
question about the text.
o Other (O): If you notice something significant while you are reading that does not fall
under one of these topics, mark it and explain what you noticed. If you can, give it a
title as well.
As you read you should also use other forms of annotating such as underlining, highlighting,
or commenting in the margins to keep track of our thoughts while reading.
2. Quote Analysis: Who is the Monster?
One of the common misconceptions of Frankenstein is that Frankenstein is the name of the monster,
rather than the name of the scientist who created him. This is an interesting confusion due to the fact
that one of the major questions raised by Frankenstein is who is more a monster, the creature who was
unknowingly brought back to life or the man who created him? You will find as you read that those
who come in contact with the creature are quick to judge him as sub-human and monstrous.
However, we will be discussing how the text questions this judgment.
For this piece of the assignment, you will explore the question of who the true monster is in
Frankenstein by exploring moments in the text that depict Dr. Frankenstein and the Creature as either
monstrous/unsympathetic or human/sympathetic.
You will need to:
 Record five significant quotes for each character (Dr. Frankenstein and the Creature). This
may be a significant act or speech from the character. This means you will have 10 quotes
total. These may be quotes you marked with your post-its.
 Categorize each quote as demonstrating the character is a more monster or more human.
 Write a full paragraph explaining why this moment shows why the character is a monster or a
human.
Format:
 Separate your quotes for each character so that each characters’ quotes are grouped together.
 Number each quote. You should have ten quotes total, five for each character.
 You may create a chart like the one below or develop your own system as long as it is clearly
labeled and organized.
 Typed
Quote (Cite page #)
Category (Monster or
Human)
Explanation (Paragraph)
NOTE: Failure to complete this project will lead to an inability to complete the coursework for AP
Literature. You should expect to write an essay on the text, so you will need to have read it. As will be
true for any text we read next year, you should be prepared for a quiz on any reading you are assigned
once it is due. If you do not turn in a project at the beginning of the school year, you will be expected
to complete the assignment for partial credit if you wish to remain in AP Literature. If you have any
questions you may email Ms. Suess at [email protected]. I will check my email
periodically throughout the summer and get back to you.
EVALUATION:
Each of the following sections will be entered as a 30% assignment at the beginning of the year.
Allusion Score Sheet:
Following directions, neatness
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Allusion summaries are clearly labeled
Allusion examples are formatted so that it is easy to identify the source
of the allusion, the allusion being referenced, and how the allusion is
referenced
Typed
/5
All allusions are clearly defined
Provides at least five appropriate examples of allusions and provides
all information for each example
/5
Completeness
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Annotations and Marked Passages Score Sheet:
Following directions, neatness
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Annotations are easy to find and read
Any sticky notes or tabs are neat
Post-its are clearly labeled
/5
Completeness
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20+ passages are marked in the text
Text demonstrates other forms of annotations such as underlining,
highlighting, and commenting in the margins
Annotations carry through the end of the book (don’t end half way
through etc)
/10
Quality of annotations
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More than just underlining and highlighting; Contains textual notes
and responses
Post-its convey insightful comments/questions about the text
Annotations clearly point to significant passages that account for the
various types of responses
Chose interesting/important passages to mark
/10
Text Response Score Sheet:
Content
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At least 5 apt quotes selected that depict the character of Dr.
Frankenstein
At least 5 apt quotes selected that depict the character of the creature
Explanations fully explain why the character is depicted as a human or
a monster in the selected quote with insight and depth of thought
Each explanation is a full paragraph
Grammar and Clarity
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Correct grammar and punctuation
Complete sentences and complete thoughts expressed
Syntax is clear and understandable
Neatness and Organization
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Typed, Times New Roman, 12 pt, 1 inch margins, proper heading;
double or single spaced ok
Uses bullets, paragraph breaks and/or headings to clearly organize the
notes; Fluid and easy to read
Each quote is cited by page number
Quotes and responses are clearly labeled and organized
/15 /5 /5